Switch and receptacle unit



Malch 29, 1955 w, PAR|sH 2,705,266

SWITCH AND RECEPTACLE UNIT Filed March 21, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. W zzmw 27.90am?" BY WMQ. 741

' March 29, 1955 w. E. PARISH 2,705,266

SWITCH AND RECEPTACLE UNIT Filed March 21, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

March 1955 w. E. PARISH swncn AND RECEPTACLE UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 21, 1951 l N V EN TOR. I fizmiflm/afl lffOi/YEYJ United States Patent SWITCH AND RECEPTACLE UNIT Willard E. Parish, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Crouse- $114118 Company, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New This invention relates to a combination switch and receptacle unit for electrical circuits of the type provided with interlocking mechanism which functions to prevent withdrawal of the plug from the receptacle when the switch is in the on position, and to prevent movement of the switch into the on position in the absence of a plug positioned in the receptacle.

The invention has as an object a switch and receptacle unit embodying an enclosure structure in which switches of various sizes and types may be readily mounted, and receptacles of various sizes may be readily mounted.

The invention has as a further object a device of the type referred to wherein the receptacle and its support constitutes a removable unit, and which carries the interlocking mechanism.

The invention has as a further object a switch and receptacle unit embodying an interlocking mechanism which is economical to manufacture and is particularly rugged and durable and not likely to get out of order, or to become defective.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a switch and receptacle unit embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the receptacle and interlocking mechanism.

Figure 3 is a view taken on line 3-3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view taken on line 4-4, Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view taken on line 55, Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a view taken on line 66, Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a view taken on line 77, Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the interfering portion of the interlocking mechanism as indicated by line 88, Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a view taken on line 9-9, Figure 8.

The device consists of an enclosure constituting a housing 10 formed with openings at opposite ends threaded internally. A switch enclosure 11 in the form of a hollow cylinder is detachably mounted in one of the openings as by being threaded therein, the outer end of the cylindrical member being closed. A receptacle support 12 is threaded into the other opening and carries a receptacle 13 having contact members 14 which are engaged by complemental contacts 15 of a plug 16.

A switch is mounted in the enclosure 11 on a support 21 mounted in the housing, as by screws 22. Switch actuating mechanism is provided for moving the switch into on and off positions, this mechanism being shown in the form of two rods 23 arranged in parallel spaced relation and being slidably mounted at one end in a bracket 24 mounted on the switch and being provided at their opposite ends with a depending rectangular plate 25 formed with a rectangular opening 26. The rods 23 are also provided with a transversely extending rib member 27 which is straddled by a pair of rollers 28 depending from an arm 29 fixedly secured to the lower end of a shaft 30 mounted for rotation in the wall of the housing 10 and provided at its outer end with an operating handle 31 movable between a pair of stop collars 32 carried by a plate 34 which is aflixed to the housing 10 by the head portion 35 of a bushing 36 threaded through the wall of the housing, and threaded internally to receive the threaded shaft 30. Oscillation of the shaft 30 by the handle 31 effects axial movement of the rods 23 which, by their engagement with the switch handle 37, moves the same into on and off positions as will be apparent.

A shaft 40 is journalled in the receptacle support 12 for rotation, it being provided at its outer end with a handle 41 for that purpose. The shaft is provided with an interlocking portion arranged in proximity to the plug receiving bore of the support 12 and which may be engaged by a restraining member which functions, upon engagement with the interlocking portion, to prevent rotation of the shaft.

In the structure shown, the interlocking portion consists of a square sleeve 43 fixedly secured to the shaft 40 by a screw 44 extending through the sleeve and being threaded into the shaft, see Figure 2. The restraining member is in the form of a plate 46 pivotally mounted at one end on a pin 47 extending transversely of the shaft 40 and being fixed in the support 12. The plate 46 is formed with a rectangular aperture 48 and when the sleeve 43 is in alinement or registration with the aperture 48, the plate is urged about the pivot pin 47 to the dotted outline position 50, Figure 2, at which time the plate has moved over the sleeve 43. The plate 46 is urged to this position by a coil compression spring 51 encircling the shaft and acting against the plate, and a bushing 53 threaded into the enclosure and threaded internally to receive the threaded portion 54 of the shaft. The threaded inner end of the shaft 40 is machined off on opposite sides to form a flattened portion 56. The interfering member mounted on this end of the shaft is also in the form of an internally threaded sleeve having a square portion 58 of substantial length at one end and a square portion 59 at its opposite end, the intermediate portion 60 being formed cylindrical and having a diameter substantially coextensive with the distance across the flat of the square areas 58, 59. A collar 61 having a circular clearance bore is slidably mounted upon the threaded portion of the shaft 40 between the interference member and the bushing 53. This collar is formed with a radial flange 62 and a slot 63 extending transversely of the axis of the collar, this slot being of a width complemental to the distance between the flat sides of the square end 59. Also there is slidably mounted upon the flattened portion 56, a plate 65 positioned in the slot 63 of the collar 61. This plate 65 is formed with an aperture complemental to the flattened portion 56 of tlfiefshaft and is therefore fixed against rotation on the s a t.

In an axial direction, the slot 63 in the collar 61 is sufficiently deep to receive both the plate 65 and the square end portion 59 of the interfering member whereby, upon such engagement, the interfering member is locked against rotation on the shaft. However, the interfering member may be adjusted axially on the shaft, the collar 61 being always positioned to engage both the plate 65 and the square end portion 59 by a coil compression spring 67 interposed between the flange 62 of the collar and the'inner surface of the receptacle support 12. The interference member is aflixed to the shaft 40 so that when the switch is in the off position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rectangular aperture 26 of plate 25 is positioned on the cylindrical portion 60 of the interference member. When the switch actuating mechanism is operated to move the switch into the on position, that isto the left, Figure 2, it is necessary that the square end portion 58 of the interfering member be turned into alinement with the square aperture 26 in plate 25.

The interfering member and the interlocking portion 43 are so fixedly mounted on the shaft that when the interlocking portion 43 is arranged in alinement with the aperture in the restraining plate 46 and that plate is moved to the dotted outline position 50, Figure 2, the interfering member is positioned out of alinement with the aperture 26 in plate 25 and accordingly, the switch can not be moved to the on position. The plate 46 extends into the plug receiving bore of the support 12, and the arrangement is such that when a plug 16 is placed in the bore and the contacts 14, 15, moved into engagement, the inner end of the plug engages the plate 3 46 and swings it to the full line position, Figure 2, out

of engagement with the interlocking portion 43. With 'the parts in this position, the shaft 40 may be rotated -by the handle 41 to bringthe end portion58-intoalinement with aperture 26 of plate 25, whereupon the switch may be moved to the on position as will be apparent.

A plug lock member 70 is mounted in the receptacle support 12 for radial movement of the plug receiving bore and the plug is formed with an aperture 71 which moves into alinement with the lock 70 when the plug is inserted in the receptacle. between the plug and the shaft 40 and is yieldingly urged into engagement with the shaft, or the collar 43, by a coil compression spring 73. The sleeve 43 is formed in one of its flat sides with an aperturewhich may be The lock 70 is positioned positioned in registration with the screw 44, as shown 1 in,Figure .2. ,When theshaft 40 is rotated to position the square portion 58 of the interfering member in alinement with'the aperture in plate 25, the member 43 is positioned with a corner thereof engaging the plug lock 70, forcing it into the aperture 71. shaft 40 and the interfering member is positioned to permit movement of the switch into on position, the plug lock 70 is positioned in the aperture 71, whereby the plug can not be withdrawn from the receptacle and, by the same token, the shaft 40 can not be rotated to release the plug while the plate is positioned over the square portion 58 of the interfering member. Accordingly, this interlock structure prevents withdrawal of the plug while the. switch is in the on position, and

Thus, while thef it prevents movement of the switch to the on position unless the plug is properly seated in the receptacle.

This construction is particularly well suited for explosion proof switch and receptacle units. The receptacle 13 is sealed in the support 12 by suitable sealing compound, indicated at 80, Figure 2. The support 12 and the switch enclosure 11 are both detachably secured to the housing 10 by the threaded flame tight v.joint, and the threaded mounting of the interlock shaft in the bushing 53 forms a flame barrier between the interior of the device and the outer atmosphere.

Inasmuch as the receptacle support 12, the receptacle 13 and the interlock mechanism constitute an integral ,unit, the assembly may be made at the factory by skilled workers and be attached to the housing in the field with- .out disturbing the construction.

This obviates the possibility of, the structure, embodying the explosion proof features from being assembled, or tampered with, by inexperienced persons .in the field.

7 It willbe apparent that the receptacle unit may be made with receptacles having different numbers of poles and different current carrying capacities, and that switches of various types and sizes may be mounted in the enclosure 11.

What I claim is:

1. A combination switch and receptacle unit compris-.

ing an enclosure for the switch and receptacle, switch actuating-mechanism operable exteriorly of the enclosure for moving the switch into on and off positions, a shaft journalled in the enclosure in proximity to the end of said shaft and an interference member attached .to the inner end of the shaft, said interference member receptacle, an operating handle attached to the outer tion and being movable out of restraining position upon insertion of a plug in the receptacle.

2. A combination switch and receptacle unit comprising an enclosure, a switch and'a' receptacle mounted in said enclosure, a shaft journalled for rotation in the enclosure and being operable from the exterior thereof, a restraining member mounted in the enclosure, switch actuating mechanism operable to move the switch into on and off positions, said shaft having an interlocking portion movable into and out of alinement with said restraining member upon rotation of said shaft, means yieldingly moving said restraining member in engagement with: said interlocking portion when the same is positioned in alinement and said restraining member being operable upon such engagement to lock the shaft from rotation, said shaft having an interfering portion movable upon rotation of the shaft into and out of alinement with said switch actuating mechanism and being operable when positioned out of alinement with said switch actuating mechanism to prevent movement of the switch into the on position, said interlocking and interfering portions being so fixedly secured to said shaft that said interfering portion is positioned out of alinement with said switch actuating mechanism when said interlocking portion is engaged by said restraining member, and said restraining member being movable out of engagement with said interlocking portion upon insertion of a plug in the receptacle.

3. A combination switch and receptacle unit comprising an enclosure, a switch and a receptacle mounted in the enclosure, switch actuating mechanism operable exteriorly of the enclosure to move the switch into on and olf positions, a shaft journalled in the enclosure and being operable from the exterior thereof, said shaft having an interference portion movable-upon rotation of the shaft into and out of alinement with said switch actuating mechanism and being operable when out of alinement to prevent operation of said switch actuating mechanism to move the switch into on position, and restraining means mounted in the enclosure and operable to restrain rotation of said shaft in the absence of a plug in the receptacle. Y

4. A combination switch and receptacle unit comprising an enclosure, a switch and a receptacle mounted in the enclosure, a shaft journalled for rotation in said enclosure and being operable from the exterior thereof, switch actuating mechanism movable axially of said shaft to move the switch into on and off positions, said shaft being provided with an interference member movable into and out of alinement with said switch actuating mechanism and operable when positioned out of alinement to prevent movement of said switch actuating mechanism, restraining means mounted in the enclosure and being 'cooperable with said shaft when said interfering member is out of alinement with said switch actuating mechanism to prevent rotation'of said shaft and said restrainingmeans'beirig movable to release said shaft upon insertion of a plugin the receptacle References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

